Comments written and delivered by Alyssa Stack, Greenwich High School teacher, at the October 23, 2025 Board of Education meeting – submitted to GFP on November 5, 2025
Good evening Board members and Dr. Jones –
My name is Alyssa Stack and I am a social studies teacher at GHS. Since starting there in 1999, I have taught Global Studies 112, 113 and 113a. Before cuts, I also served for six years as the department’s instructional coach, so I am very familiar with our curriculum and instruction. Tonight I am speaking as a representative of the social studies department on Discussion Item 6 from the board retreat and the proposed changes to Sem/ Skills.
So what exactly happens in Sem/ skills?
On any given week, one class may focus on SAT Prep – For some students this helps them reach a graduation proficiency and for others this helps them raise their scores to apply to highly competitive colleges.
Another may focus on “Passion Projects” – When a business executive spoke to the social studies department several years ago, he remarked that self-awareness and intellectual curiosity were among the “soft skills” he looked for when hiring.
And this week, ironically, my Sem/skills focused on Rhetoric – Even with all our available technology, students still need to figure out what they believe in and how to communicate their ideas effectively.
(And I’m a perfect example of that right now!)
But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Media literacy, time management, Executive functioning, study strategies and so much more.
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In Sem/ skills we teach skills not addressed in other classes.
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In Sem/ skills we teach skills to help ALL students at ALL levels excel in ALL their classes.
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In Sem/ skills we teach skills students will need in the 21st century job market.
Students do not learn these skills in a prescribed order because teachers, as professionals, determine which skills their students need and when. “Planning is a reciprocal process” as one of my mentors said.
But by the end of the year, students at ALL levels have elevated their critical reading, writing and thinking skills after the entirety of their Sem/ skills lessons.
By voting to save Sem/ skills you will preserve this special program that distinguishes GHS from our peers and helps our students succeed in high school, college and beyond.
Alyssa Goulian Stack
Social Studies teacher
Bella House
Greenwich High School